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Formal vs. Functional Syntax Approaches

Formal and functional approaches to syntax differ fundamentally in their assumptions. [1] The formal approach views syntax as an autonomous system governed by innate rules of grammar, focusing on grammaticality judgments. The functional approach views syntax as shaped by language use and communicative needs, examining real data to establish form-function relationships. [2] While the formal approach studies syntax independently of semantics and pragmatics, the functional approach sees syntax as correlated with and motivated by these factors. [3] Language universals are explained differently as well - formal sees them as innate structures, functional as arising from functional constraints of communication.

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Eko Prasetyo
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75 views10 pages

Formal vs. Functional Syntax Approaches

Formal and functional approaches to syntax differ fundamentally in their assumptions. [1] The formal approach views syntax as an autonomous system governed by innate rules of grammar, focusing on grammaticality judgments. The functional approach views syntax as shaped by language use and communicative needs, examining real data to establish form-function relationships. [2] While the formal approach studies syntax independently of semantics and pragmatics, the functional approach sees syntax as correlated with and motivated by these factors. [3] Language universals are explained differently as well - formal sees them as innate structures, functional as arising from functional constraints of communication.

Uploaded by

Eko Prasetyo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Formal vs.

Functional

Two Fundamentally Different


Approaches to Syntax
What is Syntax?
• “Biologist” approach (T. Givon)
– Syntax is the study of a unique and complex coding
system, which includes the coding devices (structure)
and the coded messages (function). It resembles the
study of biology
• Mentalist approach (N. Chomsky)
– Syntax is a model of the linguistic abilities of the native
speakers of a language which enable them to speak and
understand the language fluently.
Theory-Building Process
• DATA  Observation  Description 
Explanation
• Syntactic Theory
– Syntactic theory is to observe, describe, and
explain syntax.
– The issue is :What is syntax? What kind of
‘language properties’ count as the ‘object’ for
syntactic study?
Assumption 1 of Formal Syntax
• Competence vs. Performance
– Competence
• Speaker’s internalized grammar of his unconscious
knowledge
– Performance
• Speaker’s actual use of language on particular
occasions.
• Properties determined by the rules of speakers’
internalized grammars and derived from factors such
as memory limitation, drunkenness, nervousness, etc.
Assumption 2 of Formal Syntax
• Data and Grammaticality
– Concerning with possible and impossible phrases of
human language
– Introspective intuitions and judgments of native
speakers
– In matters such as grammatical structure, well-
formedness, paraphrase relations, ambiguity, etc.
– A language cannot be equated with a set of actual
utterances, however large.
Assumption 3 of Formal Syntax
• Autonomous Syntax
– Syntax, Semantics and Phonology should all be treated
as autonomous of each other, and studied independently.
– Arguments:
• Phonologically well-formed, but… 
Tee aire tu sular
• Phonologically and Syntactically well-formed,
but…  Colorless green ideas sleep furiously
• Semantically and phonologically well-formed, but…
 I want to go home yours.
Functional Syntax – Assumption 1

• The study of the language system must take


place within the framework of language use:
– ‘Syntax codes what people do the most.’
– For and function are two sides of the same coin.
– Structural regularities are conventionalized
strategies responding to communicative needs
Functional Syntax – Assumption 2

• Naturally-occurring or corpus data are to be


examined to establish the form-function
correlation, since language derives from
social interactions
Functional Syntax - Assumption 3
• Syntax is not autonomous:
There are functional motivations behind structural
regularities and changes:
– Cognitive-semantic motivations
– Discourse-pragmatic motivations
• Syntax is correlated with semantics and pragmatics

• Syntax emerges from and is shaped by discourse-


level factors
Language Universals

• Formal: regarded as innate structural properties


wired in the human organism

• Functional: to be explained in terms of


functional constraints inherent in
– The goals of communication
– The biological and cognitive mechanisms of
language users
– The settings in which language is used

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